Insulated Balaclava

The down hoods made by Zpacks, Jacks R Better, Nunatak, and others don't cover the mouth and nose, but the down would get pretty wet if they did. Were you imagining something with synthetic insulation (Primaloft, etc.) that also covered the mouth and nose?

Ben at Goosefeet might be willing to make something for you if you can't find an off-the-shelf product.

it does not take much insulation in a bali to be too much if one is moving.
OR makes quite an assortment of warmer ones for the alpine people.

cheers

My favorite balaclava for extreme cold and for sleeping in cold weather is a 300 weight windproof polar fleece. The part that pulls up over your mouth and nose is breathable, the rest has a windproof membrane. It's pretty toasty. I'd have to look to see what brand it is.

I don't own one, but there is a buff called Polar Buff which just adds a section of fleece. May work?

http://www.buffwear.com/buff-headwear/polar-buff

Like this ?It says it has 40 grams of thinsulate,and this by Chaos with 70 grams of thinsulate,although it seems to have a cap.

Some great posts, thanks.

Way more options than I thought existed.

Look up:

Extremities Polartec 200 Balaclava
Outdoor Research Gorilla Balaclava
Outdoor Research Ninjaclava
X-Bionic Soma Stormcap Eye / Face
RAB MeCo 165 Balaclava + beanie of choice for more insulation on top

Cabela's has several balaclavas in their online catalog.

…

By insulated do you mean synthetic fill/down fill puffy or do you mean extra thick and warm fabric?

I have a fleece watchcap that I use for hiking. It get's pretty cold though when I'm sleeping in the low 20s.

I made a synthetic insulated hood/balaclava that works good at lower temps but I didn't make it big enough for watchcap which isn't needed either.

I jave a fleece balaclava that fits over watchcap. The two are plenty warm down to 20 or below. Fleece is good because it tends to get wet from breath condensation.

The fleece and synthetic balaclavas weigh about the same.

Since I need a watchcap anyway, and watchcap and balaclava are sufficient, no need to make a new balaclava out of synthetic or down.

This is one case where fleece is maybe better than synthetic or down.

My problem with balaclavas is they fog my eyeglasses and I can never again that day achieve clear visibility. I have tried the OR Gorillaclava but the problem persists. Same with goggles. Any suggestions — and if a lens coating is one of the ideas, is there one that will last all day? Thanks.

when sleeping, put on balaclava and take off glasses

i have gone so far as to begin research of the goggle/faceshield device as worn by snowmobile'rs.
there seems no easy, 100% effective way to prevent fogging.

last trip i made up a pair of velcro straps that crossed at the bride of my nose, and this along with taking a gore or two out of the bali, helped.

i suspect it's going to require at least a thin strip of aluminium/lead sewn into the nose bridge, and a bit of soft foam as well, to effect a secure seal.

Layer 1: thin balaclava, carried in all coats, used all seasons, very moisture wicking.

Layer 2: midweight polar fleece balaclava, kept in winter coat and also worn at night in cool seasons. These are quite common and ~$5.

Layer 3 cheap: Oversized fleece balaclava with optional sew-in puffy insulation. This is for extreme cold and/or mostly just used winter nights with a quilt. (Its overkill when used with a mummy bag.) You can buy the extra-large, heavy fleece balaclavas many places for ~$10. I amp'd mine up with a puffy layer from an old army poncho liner, but I'm odd that way.

Layer 3 better: Polyfil balaclava like the Mountain Laurel Designs' APEX Balaclava for $70. Its like a sleeping bag for your head.

Outside Layer: Coat hood and/or hat.